Vending Machine Sells Souvenir Condiments At Mustard Museum

MIDDLETON, WI -- Visitors to the National Mustard Museum here can purchase souvenirs from a vending machine stocked with 10 varieties of specialty mustards and horseradish-flavored sauces.

Silver Spring Foods, headquartered in nearby Eau Claire, WI, created the vending machine specifically for the museum and supplies the mustards, which vend for $3 to $4 a jar. National Mustard Museum curator Barry Levenson said visitors can buy Silver Spring mustards at the museum store, but many enjoy the novelty of purchasing mustards from the vender.

"People do a double-take when they see the mustard machine and love taking pictures of it. They want to see if it really works, and there is a 25¢ savings per jar when purchased through the machine," Levenson said.

Silver Spring, which distributes its line to food stores nationwide, says its Beer 'n Brat mustard is the runaway best-seller at the museum, with its chipotle mustard and wasabi sauce in hot pursuit.

PHOTO: Barry Levenson, curator of the Wisconsin's National Mustard Museum, says many visitors opt to buy souvenir mustards from its vending machine rather than at its gift shop for the novelty of the experience.